t4l

iTrader: (1)

I keep having issues with the power antenna on my 1997 LS. It keeps breaking the gear track for the mast. I've used a couple different aftermarket versions from different sources and the result is the same, they work great for a few weeks and then quit. usually hear a grinding noise and then the track breaks and it's done. I've seen several reviews using aftermarket masts with no problems. Not sure why I'm having such an issue with this. I disassemble and clean out the assembly each time it's apart and it works flawlessly afterwards for a couple weeks before failing again. I think the motor limits are working correctly because is always stops running a split second after hitting the upper or lower limits.

Could it be that I am simply being too cheap and should spring for the $75 OEM mast? I feel like this is a simple enough part that a well-fitting aftermarket mast should work fine.. Is there something else that I could be missing to cause this issue over and over?

oldskewel

iTrader: (1)

I have an aftermarket cable in my 1991's antenna, and it is now working with no problems.

The original toothed nylon cable snapped near the top after 25 years. Thinking like you (what could be wrong with aftermarket for 1/4 the price?), I bought and installed one. A few times later, the cable pulled out where it attaches to the antenna top. So I took it apart and noticed that they did not engineer or assemble that area as carefully as Lexus did. Having it already apart, I transplanted the new aftermarket cable to the old antenna, carefully re-doing the connection from cable to antenna top segment, and it has been fine since.

So, as it relates to your situation ... I have found the aftermarket cable to be just fine in my case. The toothed nylon cable has pulled out of the mast top segment, but has not snapped - are you sure that's not what's happening to yours? Actually snapping one of those cables seems pretty hard to do before it becomes aged and brittle. But if that's what's going, on, my guess would be that there is something wrong inside the motor/gear assembly that pulls the cable in. Maybe a cut on one of the teeth that is cutting the cable? I'd disassemble that. First, maybe inspect the cable to see if there is any damage at places other than the break. Also see if the break shows a cut vs. a snap vs. being pulled apart.

Or, if you don't like solving things like this, you can always just buy an OE antena and motor assembly. That would have a pretty good chance to fix it too.

Losiracer2

I've been using a 20 dollar AntennaX aftermarket one I bought off Amazon for the past year and a half with no problems in my 97. It took about a week for the antenna to find it's "home" it was clicking for a few days until the motor finally worked the teeth of the cable in. Now it doesn't do it anymore

dicer

It does have to have that super expensive body lube in it as well.

Calliope

I bought a cable to connect the cell phone antenna in the back window to the radio antenna in the trunk. I left the broken arial in the down position and just bypassed it. It took some creative soldering and addition of a female connector. But the end result is a very reliable signal with out worrying about the plastic cogs breaking and the arial being stuck in the up position at a car wash.

USDM

I'm using the same antenna sold by AntennaX on my 1996 LS 400. I took my time with the installation and everything went smooth and sans problems. The replacement AntennaX antenna has been installed on my car for roughly three months now and I am happy to report that I have not experienced any problems with it.

winter4w

I went with an OEM one. My other one broke when it hit my garage door.(https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...na-mast-2.html) I was considering on going for an aftermarket one but I have read a lot of people haveing issues of them going after a few weeks. Even though it was expensive I have had it on for over a year and a half now and no issues!

t4l

iTrader: (1)

I have gone through 2x of the AntennaX masts now.. I always clean everything out real well and they seem to work very smooth until they break. Currently debating between a OEM replacement, or shaving the hole and running one of the "inside-the-glass" versions.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

May have something within the motor that is causing problems. I've not serviced/opened one up so others my have some insights for you. When I wash ours, I'll extend the antenna to clean the sections and apply a "dry" based teflon type lube.

Banshee365

The inside is lubed with Toyota body grease. The yellowish stuff.